Houston Cougars Top 50 Greatest: Tom Tellez
Tom Tellez, a legendary figure in track and field, made significant contributions to the sport during his tenure as head coach at the University of Houston from 1976 to 1998. A member of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame (Class of 1998), Tellez was instrumental in shaping the landscape of track and field at both collegiate and international levels.
Tellez’s legacy at Houston includes founding the university’s women's track and field program, demonstrating his commitment to expanding opportunities in the sport. Over his 22-year career as head coach, Tellez built the Houston track and field team into a powerhouse, producing numerous elite athletes who would go on to achieve remarkable success on the world stage. His coaching philosophy, known for its focus on biomechanics and technique, set his athletes apart, emphasizing the importance of efficiency and precision in every movement.
Among the most notable athletes coached by Tellez were Olympic medalists Carl Lewis, Joe DeLoach, Kirk Baptiste, Frank Rutherford, and Leroy Burrell. Carl Lewis, perhaps the most famous of Tellez’s protégés, became a nine-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. Joe DeLoach won gold in the 200 meters at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, famously defeating Lewis in the final. Kirk Baptiste and Leroy Burrell also excelled under Tellez's guidance, contributing to the dominance of American sprinting during their era. Frank Rutherford’s achievements included becoming the first Bahamian to win an Olympic medal in track and field.
Tellez’s impact on the sport extended far beyond the athletes he coached; his emphasis on innovative training techniques and his dedication to athlete development left his mark on the world of track and field, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest coaches.